Shelly Mandel: America, This is What a Feminist Looks Like: Governor Sarah Palin

by ojt | October 8, 2008 at 11:23 am

350 views | 0 Recommendations | 2 comments

Those were the final words spoken by Shelly Mandel, president of the Los Angeles chapter of National Organization of Woman, in her introduction and endorsement of Sarah Palin in Carson, California.

As a long time democrat this move was a bold and brave one for Shelly Mandel to endorse a republican candidate. The NOW Pac has officially endorsed Obama so you can imagine the internal stir this has caused. There are many members of the feminist group that are absolutely disgusted that Shelly Mandell spoke her own mind instead of denouncing Gov. Palin because she happens to both a strong, accomplished woman who just so happens to be a democrat. If this is a problem for NOW, perhaps they should change their name to the National Organization for DEMOCRATIC Women, as they certainly do not speak for all women.

Following is an “unofficial” transcript of Shelly Mandell’s introduction/endorsement of Governor Sarah Palin

I want to thank you, and I want to reiterate that I am Shelly Mandell, the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women. Now I'm happy to be here and I'm here today speaking not on behalf of NOW, but speaking as an individual, as a women's rights activist for thirty years who has worked for all those years to see this day.

Let me share with you where I've been and why I'm here. I was there in 1977 for IWY, that was the International Women's Year, in Texas. I was there in 1978 when we campaigned hard all over the west for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, working right alongside my dear friend Maureen Reagan. I was there in 1984 when we worked so hard to get Geraldine Ferraro on the ticket, and then to support her historical place in that election.

And I'm here today proud to support Sarah Palin, a woman who will fight for women's rights, a woman who will fight for the middle class, a woman who will--Lord knows (pause) shake things up.

Now, make no mistake. I'm a life-long Democrat. I don't agree, I've got to tell you, I don't agree with Governor Palin on several issues. Hey, she's going to work on persuading John McCain on ANWR, well I'm going to try persuading her on things of my own.

But.. But I know Sarah Palin cares about women's rights, she cares about equality, she cares about equal pay, and as Vice President she will fight for it.

She cares about our children and she cares about women's lives. She's an athlete and she knows what Title 4 did for girls like her.

Change must come to Washington, and Sarah Palin has what it takes to lead that charge. I believe she is courageous, I believe she has integrity, and I know that Sarah Palin is a reformer who will break up the old boy network, buck the system and get Washington back on our side.

It is an honor to call her sister.

America, this is what a feminist looks like: Governor Sarah Palin.

In her impassioned support of Sarah Palin, Shelly Mandel neglected to consider that given today’s global ties, our next President will not only have to manage the nation but also play a leading role in international affairs. If the inarticulate, provincial George Bush was an embarrassment compared to the likes of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Angela Merkel, Nicolas Zarkosy, Jan Peter Balkenende and other leaders of the free world, then should McCain die in office and Sarah Palin become President, she would be a total joke.

Palin's experience as PTA president, mayor of a small town, (pop. 5,000), two-year governor of a sparsely populated state (pop. 500,000) doesn’t quite cut it; nor does her hockey mom, beauty queen, academic disadvantaged, religious fundamentalist, folksy, persona do much for her presidential, world-leader image. Then there are the pending concerns that are likely to escalate into media-fodder scandals should she take office-- Troopergate, her pregnant daughter’s shotgun wedding, her involvement with the Alaska Independence Party, her allowing the First-Dude to meddle in government business, and other issues about her personal life and character that would no doubt crop up over time.

Barak Obama, of course, is no bargain either. As a one-term <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Illinois senator and two-year U.S. senator, his experience is scant, but, at least, by serving in a various Senate committees, he has acquired some inside knowledge on national and international affairs.

John McCain, to be sure, was the better qualified candidate. Had he picked Joe Lieberman or someone else of equal stature as his running mate, he would now be double digits ahead of Obama in the polls. Sarah Palin did energize the lowest common denominator of the conservative base, but in so doing, she has alienated many undecided voters who would have made the difference on November 4. Joe Lieberman may be short on charisma, but by dint of his knowledge and unblemished record, he would eventually have won over the conservative base and most undecided voters as well.

Also, the fact that McCain allowed his staffers to foist Palin on him sight unseen (clearly, she was not on his short list) betrays a lack of leadership. He might yet win the election, but if he loses, it will be largely because of Sarah Palin.

NowPublic

World

Shelly Mandel: America, This is What a Feminist Looks Like: Governor Sarah Palin

Photos